27 April 2026
It is almost time to say good night.
We had a very strange day today. We were both tired. Toby was due to go for his grooming. It was a new doggie spa. I will only say this – Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not to be ‘shaved’ all over unless they are covered from tail to nose in heavy matting. (That would be supreme neglect. I said ‘no’ to the shave – I should have been warned off by that question. Toby did not get hurt, or anything, and the groomer did do what I asked, except that, on their own, they cleaned his face, which meant they cut off his whiskers! —– Toby will be going to his former groomer from now on even if I have to wait to get in!
The weather has turned a bit cool. It was 0. We had a very cool wind. It is to warm up – aren’t I always saying that? Spring really needs to come. I have ordered a gallon of paint so I can do a second coat of Railings on the exterior doors. I do love that deep grey with a blue undertone. We have changed door wreaths – we simply change the flowers and ornaments. The next couple of months are pink peonies. Oh, how I love peonies! We have one old bush from 1902 that still thrives, and over the past two years, I have planted more. Many of the shrubs have to be segregated from Toby as they would make him ill if he ate them!
‘PB’ alerted me to the goslings preparing to jump. These parents were incredible.
The five goslings were encouraged by Mum several times and then Dad flew up to give them a pep talk. The five appear to have made it down safely. Nothing cuter than these babies taking this huge leap of faith. Heidi has it on video: https://youtu.be/sqTCn7X8ipE?
Ping Shen wrote last night with such relief. “Here, it has been an interesting few weeks – after seeing Sally on April 2nd I naturally kept an eye out for Harry and a few days later a male did show up on the nest…upon closer inspection (photos), however, it was fairly clearly not Harry (no distinctive black spot in the left iris, etc). Sally seemed to tolerate this new male well enough (#5350 is Sally, on the right, with the new male on the left), though I wondered if she would wait for Harry and if so…where was he and when would he show up. As the days turned to weeks…I started to resign myself to the idea that I might not see Harry again. Then…as I ambled down towards the nest yesterday, seeing the 2 birds there and assuming it was Sally and the new male, imagine my surprise and joy to look through the viewfinder and find a different male…much more brown on the chest and then…as he turned just right…that drop in the left iris! Harry!! Unmistakably Harry, and the two are now back together – I hadn’t visited in a few days so I don’t know exactly when he showed up or what happened to the other male (presumably chased off by one or both of them), but what a relief! Interesting that he showed up some 3+ weeks after Sally – perhaps this is why she left a good six weeks or so before he did last summer? Perhaps her schedule is just earlier than his…anyways, as you can see they are wasting no time, and the nest is starting to expand and the Osplet-making has begun!
Thought you might enjoy the update from Seattle, and the good news. ”
Ping is not the only one who worries about late arrivals. This year, a number of ospreys have arrived several weeks later than they were expected. I am starting to wonder if they wintered in the same area, and weather events meant they were late in leaving. Wonder where they were??
Oren and Ruth have two chicks hatching at Syracuse University’s Red-tail Hawk cam. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/live/X_lEUCn8QcI?
The latest news from the chat – both chicks are out. “15:10-15:17–Ruth continued to help the chick in Egg #1, removing much of the shell as the chick pushed. A hatch can’t be called until the chick is fully out of the eggshell.” “A LOT has happened today! Egg#2 hatched around 17:08, so HAPPY HATCH DAY OR2 the second chick of 2026 named for its parents initials as well! We are THRILLED both chicks hatched on the same day!”
The little eaglet of Irv and Stella at the US Steel nest, USS 11 will be returned to his nest on Tuesday the 28th after rescue and rehabilitation. Great work everyone!
Geemeff stayed up very, very late. Aurora was assaulted by owl strikes. Check out all the action below at Loch Arkaig at the two nests!
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 27th April 2026Today started as a routine day enlivened by our first sight of the egg when Dorcha stood to roll it, giving us a good look at it. Louis delivered two fish to her, taking the nest total to twenty seven, and Garry LV0 brought two fish to Aurora 536, taking his tally to thirty two. Aurora didn’t eat either of them – she dropped the first and despite circling round to look for it, had to leave without it, and although Garry kept returning with the second fish, she showed no interest. It was speculated she might be getting ready to lay an egg but that ended when she left the nest at 19.40.
However, she returned to the nest at 23.53 but if she had any hopes of staying the night and laying an egg, those were dashed by a bombardment from owls who kept flying past her and over her, with calls heard continuously in the background. She didn’t actually receive a strike but had had enough and departed at 00.04. While this was going on, Dorcha was undisturbed on her nest.
Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/bhSevUHZgEE N2 Dorcha departs with her breakfast, Louis takes over 05.46.05https://youtu.be/7PrrV8elxNg N2 First glimpse of the egg! 06.42.17https://youtu.be/8uRm7s4e3xQ N1 Oops a daisy! Aurora loses Garry’s fish over the side 14.25.30https://youtu.be/spaulP2MrTc N2 Dorcha gets a fine whole trout from Louis 15.34.16 https://youtu.be/7vfT-hcN9FU N1 Garry tries several times to give Aurora a second fish 19.07.05https://youtu.be/Zo9SVAB-ynM N1 Aurora is bombarded by owls 23.53.08Bonus watch – how on earth do the nest cams get wifi in the middle of nowhere? Your questions answered! Comms West now provide the service,
Locheilnet was the original provider: https://commswest.co.uk/about-us/
Blast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/q_WwmwEsYBA N1 Louis won’t let Aila have his fish 2019
https://youtu.be/p3aqIV2VHuo N1 Owl attacks Aila 2020 (slo-mo)
https://youtu.be/OsGsdpzZVdY N2 Owl strikes Dorcha as she guards her egg 2022 (slo-mo)
https://youtu.be/2RPYImn6HsQ N2 Egg number two for Dorcha 2022
https://youtu.be/AtdFILU2Sm0 N2 Owl attacks minutes after the second egg 2022 (slo-mo)
https://youtu.be/E2U7-JML07w N2 Egg number three! 2023 (zoom)
https://youtu.be/jT3MesYLieY N2 Hooded Crow intrudes on Dorcha 2023
https://youtu.be/-JTu8Cr1Guo N2 First fish does a flypast before landing 2024
https://youtu.be/MfQttkWT3Uk N1 Garry LV0 leaves Nest One and perches on Pole Tree 2024
https://youtu.be/B-zPWF3ZiJg N2 Takes two to tangle: Loch Arkaig Ospreys bump into each other 2024
https://youtu.be/3hwN14iQOV4 N2 Drookit Dorcha protects the eggs in wet weather as breakfast arrives 2025https://youtu.be/emNgeo_CV3A N1 Elevenses for Blue 536 when Garry LV0 brings fish 2025
https://youtu.be/7RE-LA7Pdwo N2 Dorcha screams her approval as Louis brings fish 2025
Why not come and join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam
All is well at the UK nests save for the owl strikes and intruders, including returning two year olds. We wait for hatch!
If you live near southern Manitoba, Wildlife Haven is having its ‘Baby Days’ on Saturday, 2 May. They are in great need. They already have over thirty new baby patients this season, and that number will continue to grow. I am certain it is the same with the rescues near you. Check out their wish lists – look in your garage. Got an old dog or cat carrier that is in good shape? Clean it up and donate if you no longer use it. Check for other items. You would be surprised by what is needed—including tools!
Thank you for being with me today. Tomorrow you should be able to see the two little darlings at Syracuse University. I encourage you to hawk watch – you won’t regret it. I am now waiting for Big Red and Arthur to have their babies.
Take care. We will see you soon.
I am so grateful to Ping Shen for sharing his Seattle osprey family with us. Thank you to Geemeff for staying up late to create the video of Aurora’s attack and all the other news. To ‘PB’ for keeping me informed on great events that I might have missed. To the authors of FB posts and the owners of the streaming cams – I am always grateful.
